The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6,1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 57, 6 March 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1872.

Nelson Regatta Club. — The public presentation of the Cup recently won by the Minnehaha will take place at the Trafalgar Hotel, at half-past seven this evening. Government Gazette. — The Gazette of February 26 contains notifications to the effect that Lowther Broad, Esq. has been appointed Registration and Returning Officer for the electoral Districts of the City of Nelson, Suburbs of Nelson, Waitnea, and Motueka. Also that Arthur McKellar Wix Esq. has been appointed Clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court _i. TM l._i '

The La.te Fire. — At the adjourned inquest on this fire held this morning, a verdict was returned to the effect that there was no evidence to show how it originated. The Marlborough Express gives a cheerful account of a theatrical performance attempted by the Wairau Club. It states that in the "Illustrious Stranger," "the King was most imperfect in his part. Fatiraa read most of hers, and spoiled the others ; Irza was indistinct, and the scene shifting was badly managed." Hamlet, with "the ghost left out by special desire," must have been a treat to this. Nelson City Rifles. — At a special meeting of this Company held last night at the Drill Shed, Ensign M'Cabe was elected LieutenantazceLieuteuant Garrard, resigned, and Corporal A. Barnett, Ensign, vice Ensign M'Cabe, promoted. The election for the captaincy, rendered vacant by the resignation of Captain Maclean, was adjourned until next Tuesday. Ensign Barnett was elected Secretary to the Company. Professor Haselmayee. — This unrivalled professor in legerdemain, as he is styled by the American papers, which cannot speak too highly in his praise, proposes to give six entertainments in Nelson next week. He has a goblin drum, which answers ail sorts of questious put to it in the most truthful manner, a number of canary birds that perform the most mysterious feats, and, altogether, promises an entertainment that is described as excelling that of the accomplished Heller. British and Foreign Bible Society. — A very interesting lecture was delivered at the Temperance Hall last night by the Rev. B. Backhouse, the travelling agent for this Society, there being a very fair audience. Mr. Backhouse, who has an easy, pleaeant delivery, touched upon the operations of this highly useful Society from its commencement, and explained to his bearers, who were evidently much interested in the lecture, the objects it has in view. Mr. Backhouse proceeds to Auckland by the Taranaki to-night, and, we understand, intends returning in the course of a few weeks, when a public meeting will be held in connection with the Bible Society. Sweet-Smelling Wellington. — The Post says : — There is an opening just now for any speculative man of capital which may, and we devoutly trust never will, occur again. The sickening smells of this city defy eau de cologne, florida water, carbolic acid, or chloride of lime. I The two latter remedies are in fact nearly as bad as the disease. One remedy there is, and the enterprising speculator who adopts the idea deserves to make a fortune. Some years ago, when the stench arising from the Serpentine was peculiarly obnoxious, Punch had a picture of a " swell " riding down the ladies mile with a wooden American letter clip attached to i his nose. Here is the idea. Let some one import a few thousands. We'll all wear them. Accident. — A serious accident occurred ' the day before yesterday to a young man named Wakefield, who was shooting on the hills near Hope. Being asked to load a gun for a lad who was with him, he rested his own on the ground butt downwards, the barrels leaning against his chest, when by some unexplained means one of them exploded, wounding him in the side of the chest and the upper part of the left arm, and rendering him insensible. The lad who accompanied him started off for assistance, and brought Mr. Waring, who found that the charge had fortunately struck his watch, out of which it had completely driven the works, the case of it turning the shot on one side, so that only a few of them entered the body. We are glad to learn that the sufferer is doing well after his miraculous escape. The Wakamarina. — The correspondent of the Express writes : — At Dead Horse Gully there are a lew parties at work who are getting payable gold. Those who were working at Deep Creek have had to suspend operations for a short time, as the late fresh iu the stream has swept away flumes, pumps, and other gear along the river. I regret to say the damage has been considerable, but should fine weather set in, the losses will soon be repaired. The celebrated Hit or Miss has been worked as a paddock, and 30 ozs. obtained from a small lot of washdirt, the largest portion of the stuff had been washed away by the flood, but the men are very hopeful of grand results in the other part of the claim. Lower down the creek there is a party sluicing and getting gold, but I am not acquainted with any particulars. At Quail Terrace, the gold obtained by seven men for four weeks' labor amounted to 34ozs. Several shares in this claim have changed hands during the last three months, the men having left for the new rushes in Sydney. The Dredging Machinery of which such great expectations are entertained was to commence working this week below Quail Terrace, and within a mile and a-half of Canvas Town. I hope to be able to give you further

particulars of this branch of industry nest time. Stoke Farmers' Club. — The usual monthly meeting was held ou Monday evening last. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Chairman asked the committee appointed to collect information respecting the sparrows, to make their statements. The committee stated several facts showing that where these birds are numerous they have caused great destruction to corn crops; they attack the standing corn as soon as the grain begins ; to form in the ear, and continue their I havoc until harvest. The meeting adopted a resolution unanimously, to the effect that the Superintendent and Provincial Council should be asked to withdraw the protection to the sparrows, to enable the farmers to shoot them while attacking the com crops. — Mr. A. Harley read a short paper on planting frees for the purpose of supplying bop-poles. He had not decided on recommending any particular tree, but thought the Bed Manuka the best, but it was of slow growth and that was agaiust it. A discussion ensued, iu the course of which opinions "^vere expressed to the effect that hop-growing might not ha extensively entered into; that there was an unlimited supply of wood in the interior, and that in all probability the railway would speedily open up the back country, and thus the wauts of hop-growers, in the mntter of poles, would bo supplied for generations to come. Frora these considerations the meeting could not recommend the planting of trees for the sole purpose of supplying hop-polea, as it would not prove remunerative. — The desirability of establishing a corn market was next considered, and the views of those present differed considerably on the subject. It was decided that members interested should think the matter over and provide themselves with memoranda for discussion at the next meeting, when a decision might be arrived at. — It was thought desirable to have a ploughing match in the district early next month, and the younger members of the Ciub were desired to collect information as to the ground, numbers of competitors, &c, and report at the next meeting.